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We’ve never had more tools at our disposal to help us get a good night’s sleep, but somehow, sleeping your full eight to 10 hours has never felt harder. It’s the stress, it’s the technology, it’s the holiday season busy-ness — and sometimes, it’s simply having too many sleep product choices. We’re surrounded by supplements, gadgets, noise devices, and headphones promising us the Holy Grail of deep, restorative sleep, but wading through all the options feels like just another task you don’t have time for. I’m the type of person that trusts my friends’ recommendations over just about anything else (besides, you know, my actual doctor), which is why I asked all my self-care-savvy fellow editors here at SheKnows for their favorite products for better sleep.
Before we get into it, a quick disclaimer that everyone’s sleep needs are different, and it’s always a good idea to discuss with your doctor before you make a major change to your sleep routine. That goes double for anything you’re putting in your body, like supplements. On this list, you’ll notice a balance between luxury items for those who want to splurge on their sleep (hellooo, Oura Ring) and cheap, simple hacks that can make a big difference. It’s all about what works for your life and sleep routine. Of course, nailing that routine involves a bit of experimenting, but that’s where our recommendations come in. If you’ve ever wondered if a white noise machine, sleep journal, sunrise alarm clock, meditation app, or soothing sleepy tea would work for you, this is the time to find out. Shop our favorite sleep products below and get ready to snooze.
Best Editor-Approved Sleep Products at a Glance
Best alarm clock: Hatch Restore 2 Sunrise Alarm Clock
Best sleep tracker: Oura Ring
Best sleep journal: The Anti-Insomnia Notebook
Best sleep wearable: Apollo Wearable
Best ear plugs: Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs
Best sound machine: Adaptive Sound Technologies Sound + Sleep SE Noise Machine
Best sleep app: Headspace
Best air purifier: Clorox Air Purifier
Best weighted blanket: Brooklyn Bedding Chunky Knit Weighted Blanket
Best sleep aromatherapy: Baloo Living Pillow Mist
Best sheets: PeachSkin Sheets
Best eye mask: Ocushield Bamboo Weighted Sleep Eye Mask
Best sleep gummies: Cornbread CBD Sleep Gummies
Best sleep drink: Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Wellness Extra Tea
BEST ALARM CLOCK
Hatch Restore 2 Sunrise Alarm Clock
“I know most people enjoy the Restore 2 for the gentle light it provides when waking you up, but it’s other features like creating a nightly unwind routine have been a heaven sent for my sleep schedule. Thanks to this little guy, I’ve been able to train my mind and body to get ready for bed and stay asleep longer than ever before.” — Jacqueline Greenfield, E-commerce Writer
“Before getting a Hatch Sunrise Alarm clock, I used a loud alarm and it always woke me up in a startling and anxiety-inducing way. The Hatch clock wakes you up gently and slowly so you wake up feeling so much more refreshed and ready for the day. I’ll never go ack to a blaring alarm sound after seeing how nice it is to wake up more naturally.” — Kenzie Mastroe, Living Editor
BEST SLEEP TRACKER
Oura Ring
“I didn’t realize how little sleep I am actually getting until I started using my Oura ring. It really helped me realize I needed to make sleep a priority and the app offers lots of helpful tools to help me achieve that. It’s comfortable to wear, the charge lasts at least a few days, and the app is easy to use and navigate.” — KM
BEST SLEEP JOURNAL
The Anti-Insomnia Notebook
“I’ve experienced some intense periods of insomnia over the past year, so I believe me when I say it can really ruin your life. The worst part, for me, was when my anxiety around falling asleep made it impossible to fall asleep, creating a fun little feedback loop that had me up for hours (and sometimes all night). I picked up The Anti-Insomnia Notebook as a last resort, and immediately felt like the therapists who wrote it understood exactly what I was living through. They walk you through the reasons behind your insomnia and provide a six-week journaling program, based on CBT-I (cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia), that helps you recognize your patterns and start to shift them. To my massive relief, it started working for me in week one. I’m sleeping better now, but when I have a more anxious night, just looking at the elegantly-structured pages and skimming a few of the tips puts me in a calmer headspace for sleep.”
— Maggie Ryan, Health Editor
BEST SLEEP WEARABLE
Apollo Wearable
“I’m the kind of person who can fall asleep in minutes in a car or on a train — something about the movement and vibration is so calming! — so I guess it’s no surprise that the Apollo Wearable lulls me to sleep just as fast. This Apple Watch-sized device works by delivering vibrations to your skin. It uses different frequencies to help you tap into different states of mind, whether you’re looking to focus at work, get social at happy hour, or wind down at night. I most often use it to help me relax before bed (with the Unwind setting) and fall asleep at night (the Sleep setting), and it works like a charm, every time. Within a few minutes of enjoying the relaxing vibrations, I’m out for the night.”
— MR
BEST EAR PLUGS
Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs
“I highly recommend the Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs. My bedroom faces a schoolyard, and every morning, the sound of kids playing and yelling used to disrupt my rest. That all changed once I started using these ear plugs.
The Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs fit comfortably in my ears and come with interchangeable ear tips in sizes XS, S, M, and L, so you can find the perfect fit. They do an exceptional job at muffling sounds, allowing me to sleep peacefully through the morning commotion.
It’s only when I take them out that I realize just how much noise they effectively block out.”
— Isabella Ong, social media editor
BEST SOUND MACHINE FOR SLEEP
Adaptive Sound Technologies Sound + Sleep SE Noise Machine
“To create an even more serene sleeping environment, I pair my ear plugs with my trusty sound machine. This machine offers a variety of soothing sound options like rainfall, brown noise, and waterfall, plus unique ones like crowd noises to suit any preference.
I like that it also comes with a timer feature that can be set to turn off gradually after 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes, and the front panel switches off automatically for a distraction-free sleep.
The combination of the Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs and my sound machine has made a significant difference in my sleep quality. I wake up feeling refreshed after a solid night of undisturbed rest. LOVE THIS COMBO!!!”
— IO
BEST SLEEP APP
Headspace
“You probably think of Headspace as a meditation app — and indeed, its guided meditations are wonderful — but my favorite element is the Sleep Music. I drift off to the same program, Doze, literally every single night. I find it so calming and soothing!”
— Erika Janes, Editor-in-Chief
BEST AIR PURIFIER
Clorox Air Purifier
“OK, I don’t know if this exactly qualifies as a sleep aid, but we have this Clorox air purifier in our bedroom and there’s something just so comforting to me about it. Its quiet, steady sound is almost like a white noise machine so I’m thinking that’s probably it — and the fact that it’s purifying the air I breathe in all night is a plus!”
— Rita Templeton, Parenting Editor
BEST WEIGHTED BLANKET
Brooklyn Bedding Chunky Knit Weighted Blanket
“This blanket is the BEST for naps on the couch! It has a big, open knit pattern so it’s breathable. I don’t know how it simultaneously manages to keep you warm and cool, but it does, and the weighted element is like a big hug. And it makes a cute throw when I’m not using it.”
— RT
BEST SLEEP AROMATHERAPY
Baloo Living Pillow Mist
“I got this Baloo Living Pillow Mist as a gift — it’s never something I would have thought to buy myself, but I love it. It has this light, calming scent (lavender, chamomile, rosemary, and lemon, apparently). I just mist it all over my sheets and pillowcase before I get into bed and it just makes the whole going-to-bed routine feel elevated and special.”
— RT
BEST SHEETS
PeachSkin Sheets
“I’m fairly picky about my sheets and these PeachSkin sheets are AMAZING. They are so super soft and I feel like they get better every time I wash them! I’ve had mine for a while now and have had zero problems with them becoming ill-fitting or wearing out or fading or anything like that. I have this exact pair, shade “beach blue” — I love that they come in a ton of colors too.”
— RT
BEST EYE MASK
Ocushield Bamboo Weighted Sleep Eye Mask
“As someone who gets semi-frequent migraines and needs to be in a dark room having a nap at 1pm, this mask is so helpful for blocking out every last beam of light. The weighted element really helps me have a deeper sleep and it stays secure all night. Having the option to use that detachable hot and cold compresses is also incredible for days where I have dry eyes or an extra bad headache – the cold compress also does wonders for a hangover too!”
— Alice Kelly, Entertaiment Editor
BEST SLEEP GUMMIES
Cornbread CBD Sleep Gummies
“I’ve tried a couple of different sleep gummies over the years and these CBD gummies from Cornbread are definitely one of my favorites for avoiding the next-day grogginess that some other brands cause. It’s all natural ingredients with no psychoactive side effects. I typically use these when I’m feeling anxious struggling to get a good night’s sleep. With organic valerian root and chamomile, these kind of have a similar effect to a calming tea with an extra kick to really help you wind down.”
— AK
BEST SLEEP DRINK
Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Wellness Extra Tea
“This thing will knock you out! Before discovering Sleepytime tea, there would be certain days in my cycle where I couldn’t relax or get to sleep no matter what. I bought this on a whim, drank a cup one night, and within 10 minutes I was out. I had such a good sleep; I remember waking up in the morning feeling actually refreshed. The taste isn’t bad, it isn’t too strong for anyone who doesn’t love drinking tea. Its list of ingredients includes spearmint, chamomile, lemongrass, and valerian root for promoting relaxation. I tried a couple of other sleep/relaxation teas but always come back to this one!”
— Kristine Fellizar, E-commerce Editor
Before you go, shop the skincare brands your teen really needs:
